Southeast Asia's biggest economy seen as potential global cruise hub

By VNA March 3, 2025 | 07:19 pm PT

Tourists at a beach in Bali, Indonesia. Photo by AFP

Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, would become a global cruise hub, its government said, emphasizing collaboration with international cruise operators to establish it as a home port.

The government is enhancing maritime infrastructure and policies to support this vision, with Bali's Benoa Port playing a key role, Indonesian Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa said.

Recent improvements have enabled the port to accommodate multiple large cruise ships simultaneously, and its capacity continues to expand.

In 2024, Benoa Port handled 59 cruise ships, up from 48 in 2023, with 77 visits expected this year. The maritime tourism sector, particularly in Bali, is projected to contribute significantly to Indonesia's tourism growth.

With 75% of the world's maritime biodiversity, Indonesia aims to attract more marine tourism enthusiasts. The country targets 14.6–16 million foreign visitors in 2025, with cross-sector collaboration seen as crucial to achieving this goal.

Bali remains Indonesia's top tourist destination, accounting for 45% of the country's 13.8 million foreign arrivals in 2024. Other key marine tourism sites include Labuan Bajo and Raja Ampat.